Kitchen

Banana Yoshimoto

“‘Did you eat a lot of good  things?’

‘Yes. Sashimi, prawns, wild boar. Today was French. I think I’ve gained a little weight…” p. 105

“Looking out the window as the evening wind came through the screen door, a remnant of pale blue stretching over the hot sky, we ate boiled pork, cold Chinese noodles, cucumber salad.” p. 57

“She attacked the food—cucumber salad and soupy rice with egg—with gusto.” p. 18

“Complicated omelets, beautifully shaped vegetables cooked in broth, tempura—it took a fair amount of work to be able to make those things.” p. 58

“‘Now I’m awake,’ he said, but, half-apologetic for not getting it sooner, he smiled. ‘I really want you to make me some tea right now, and not in a tea cup.’” p. 41

“I would make carrot cake that included a bit of my soul.” p. 59

“‘Parting and death are both terribly painful. But to keep nursing the memory of a love so great you can’t believe you’ll ever love again is a useless drain on a woman’s energies.” Urara spoke through a mouthful of doughnut, as if making casual chit-chat.” p. 148